The Press., 1887-09-01
THE WALLED IN ROOM.

me. A man was leaning over my bed; near the man stood woman with a bon net with great white wings on the sides, holding in her hlnd moist compress. The room was plain and neat, with clean white walls. On 8 table, covered with great napkin of yellow linen, noted & number of strange objects-rows of little vials, and . brown earthen jar filled with bits of ice. Through the muslin curtains, which bellied out from the window in the balmy air, could sec patch of blue sky and the tops of green trees bending lightly in the breeze. Where was I? It seemed like long dream that | had had; my head felt empty, my limbs ached, and could not think.
 The man gently lifted my head, and gave me q few drops of some liquid, which Iswallowed with avitlity.
 ''WeH, MT. Furniss,'' he said, Chow do you feels'' .s.. ' .<..-
 "Eh, whate'' cried "Where am I?'' < "You are in my house, my dear sir, and we shall take good care of you. Now," he added, replacing my head on the pill low, 'be quiet and go to sleep"
 gazed at him for | long time, and all at once recognized Dr. Bertram, the eel ebrated specialist in insanity. A shudder passed through my frame. Why was in Dr. Bertram's hospital instead of in my home, near Phoenix Park, with my books, my herbs and my microscopes around me? His hospital was for mad people!-and that sister of charity, those vials, that bowl of ice-my God, must be madI But why? Howl ~.
 "How long have been here?" asked, {, after time. ~....
 ''For four weeks, Mr. Furniss. But you must be quiet and sleep. Now do not try to talk .,.s
 For month! Was it possible? What had happened? But even as asked my self these questions little by little went off to sleep, and I saw in a bi1lowy meadow, 0 road covered with blood and bordered on either side with monstrous microscopes shaped like trees, a road on which two little girls played at pitch and catch with a severed head, while Dr. Der tram, comically bonneted with religious cap, rode astride of a dead body, which reared and pranced and kicked till he could scarce keep his seat.
 The next morning was better, and day by day I improved, though that horrible nightmare came to me each night. Butit grew less and less distinct, and in a few weeks it almost ceased to trouble me.
 One evening the doctor, whom had not seen during the day, seated himself near my bed.
 
 ''you are doing famously. I'll have you out, as good as new, in few days. But you've had close shave. It has been one of tho prcttiest cases of cerebral con- gestion ever handled-a beautiful case Why, it's wonder you are alive now. Tell me, how is your memory; can you remember what happened before you were brought herer'
 T-I don't know, I cannot think have passed through something fearful. What it is, I cannot say. From the faint glimmer of recollection that comes to me, I have the sensation of having been dead-murlered! Oh, it is frightful. My brain is weak yet. Then the child, q pretty golden haired child-rolling on the floor"
 "Colne, come, this will never do," said the doctor. ''You can tell me all about it ill the morn'-
 ''No, now, doctor," I cried. Ut is coming back to me. Yes, have it now"
 Here is an exact transcript of my recital as l told it to Dr. Betram and, later, to the magistrate.
 You know my passion for natural history. Well, scarcely week passes that do not go into the country botan- iZing. That day went to Glacnevin, where, as you know, the marshy meadows are rich in curious plants, infusoria and diatoms. l was returning, and was almost in Dublin with my box full of rare specimens, on which expected to make report that would astonish the Botanical society, when saw little girl, certainly not more than 5 or years old, who was all alone, crying as if her little heart would break. approached her, but at sight of me she redoubled her cries. could see that the little one was lost, and that she did not know where to go, so I spoke to her kindly, and, by dint of promising her unlimited bonbons, got her to tell me that her name was Lizzie, and that she lived near Beresford place in Lower Abbey street. l took her hand, and we soon started of, talking together like old friends. She was beautiful child, fresh and rosy, with great candid eyes and fair hair, which was cut short over her eyes and fell in golden ringlets about her shoulders. She trotted bravely along, her soft little hand holding my great, ruddy paw confdingly. As we walked she told me remarkable tales in which figured Q big, black horse, a little knife, doll and number of people did not know.
 Lizzie was afraid she would be scolded when she arrived home, but she was not, and IT was received with transports by her mother, who was half distracted. Never was graGlCu0e expressed so heartily and pleasantly. Who was I, where did I live, how did I happen to find her, and a thousand like questions were showered upon me.
 "Oh, MT. Furniss," said the mother, ''you are the savior of my child. How can we express our gratitude? We are not rich, but such debt cannot be paid in gold. How happy my husband will be to repeat my thanks to you. He is still at his office, but-wfll you do us a greet kindness, will you honor our humble board tomorrow I shall have asavant here like yourself, and you two will enjoy each others company, I am sure. And my husband will be so happy to have you"
 thanked her for the invitation and promised to be on hand. s..fsg.s sss. #
 At the appointed hour was shown into their modest parlor, and you may be sure the husbands gratitude was no less warmly expressed than the wtfe's. And little Lizzie threw her arms around my neck and showered on me the innocent ca resses of happy child. Iseemed, indeed, to be one of the family.
 The dinner was merry one, the savane seemed to be an interesting man-in brief, I passed an excellent evening.
 The air had been heavy the whole day, and in the evening storm came on. Thunder claps. succeeded one another without interruption, the rain fell in tor rents. Whether 1t was the effect of the storm, of the, suffocating heat, or of the wine had drank, I felt e strange melan- skr113